Adding trim to your custom window treatments gives a finished appearance. When planning custom window coverings, there are two types of trim to consider—fringe or braid trim and ruffle or fabric band.
Fringe or Braid
These products are purchased by the yard and applied by hand or using a straight sewing machine.
Horizontal Trim
To calculate the amount of horizontal trim to order:
- Simply multiply the number of cuts on the chart by 1.5 yards
Note: For products that have a scalloped bottom, add 50% OR for a more accurate measurement, take the difference between the long and short points times the number of scallops. Then divide by 36” and add to your yardage.
Vertical Trim
To calculate the amount of vertical trim to order:
- Simply multiply the cut length of the product by the vertical rows of trim
- Then divide by 36″ to find the number of yards
Ruffle or Fabric Band
These trims are made from fabric supplied with your order.
- Ruffle Cut Length = ((Ruffle size + 1) X 6) or ¾ Yd per cut up to 4” ruffle
- Flat Band Cut Length = (Band Width X 3)
- Covered Cord Cut Length = 3″
- Gathered Cord Cut Length = 12″
Note: Plaids, stripes, and mini prints fabrics should be cut by repeat.
Horizontal Trim
To calculate the amount of fabric to order for horizontal fabric trim:
- Simply multiply the number of cuts by the trim cut length
- Then divide by 36” to find trim fabric yardage
Note: For products that have a scalloped bottom, add 50% OR for a more accurate measurement, take the difference between the long and short points times the number of scallops. Then divide by 54” and round up to the next whole cut. Add to your number of cuts before you multiply by your trim cut length.
Vertical Trim
To calculate the amount of vertical trim to order:
- Simply multiply the cut length of the product by the number of vertical rows of trim.
- Then divide by 54″ to find trim fabric yardage. (Round up to the next whole cut.)
- Then multiply the number of cuts needed by the cut length of the trim and divide by 36” to find the trim fabric yardage.
Calculation Example
Pinch Pleat Pair: 100” x 80” with 4” ruffle on overlap and hem.
- Using 5 cuts @ 108” due to 27” repeat. (Note: Do not use fabric repeat when figuring trim running yards.)
- Trim Cut length = ((4+1) x 6) = 30”
- Drapery Cut Length = (80+16) = 96”
- # cuts for Vertical Trim = (96 x 2) divide by 54” = 3.55 (Round to 4)
- Horizontal Trim Yardage = (5 x 30”) divide by 36” = 4.16
- Vertical Trim Yardage = (4 x 30”) divide by 36” = 3.33
- Total Yards = 7.49 yards
Note: Flat bands and covered cords should not have seams when used as vertical trim. The cut length for these trims should be the same as the cut length of the product. Figure four bands and eight flat cords out of one width of fabric. This allows us to apply them without seams.
Swag & Jabot Trim Calculations
Find running yards and convert as described above for fringe and braid. For ruffle or fabric band, running yards must be converted to fabric yards by dividing running yards by 54” and rounding up to the next whole cut. Then use the cut lengths supplied above.
- Each Swag Trim Running Yards = (Width of each Swag + Fin. Length of Swag + 6) divide by 36”
- Each Jabot Trim Running Yards Up to 50 = (Fin. Length of Jabot + 36”) divide by 36”
- Each Jabot Trim Running Yards Up to 90 = (Fin. Length of Jabot + 27”) divide by 36”
- Each Jabot Trim Running Yards Up to 120 = (Fin. Length of Jabot + 18”) divide by 36